Google buys artificial intelligence firm DeepMind

Google has confirmed the acquisition of artificial intelligence company DeepMind, reportedly spending over $400 million in the process.

Founded by neuroscientist Demis Hassabis, Shane Legg and Mustafa Suleyman, the company specializes in algorithms and machine-based learning protocols for e-commerce software, simulations and games.

According to Recode, $400 million was spent on the acquisition. The publication's sources say the buyout was achieved in the name of talent acquisition, and Google CEO Larry Page led the deal himself.

The company website contains only a landing page, where the firm calls itself a "cutting edge artificial intelligence company" based in London that is happy to hire talent in the tech space. DeepMind is said to employ over 50 people and has managed to secure over $50 million in funding.

The acquisition is the latest in a string of deals pushed through by the tech giant. Google has increasingly begun purchasing firms that specialize in areas of tech beyond the Web and has dabbled in projects including the creation of autonomous vehicles. Last month, Google purchased Boston Dynamics, a supplier of military hardware and animal-based robots. Other robotics-based firms owned by the search engine giant include Autofuss, Industrial Perception, Meka and Redwood Robotics.

Google has made a number of other acquisitions this month. Just after New Year, Google announced the purchase of app developer Bitspin, smart thermostat firm Nest Labs, and security company Imperium.